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Of the great many things we discussed at NGS 2013, one question was pressing: how can transitioning genealogists create a name for themselves, develop a reputation, gain traction in the community? There was one consistent answer: volunteer. The hard part here, of course, is that we are talking about people who are trying to build a career, and are therefore very concerned about finances. Spending time donating their energy and effort does not generate immediate income, and that is a difficult thing to balance, and to explain to the spouse or significant other. Realizing of course that the author of this post is in that very predicament, it is easy to empathize with this sentiment. Did you know that J. Mark Lowe spent at least a couple years as the “box mover?” More than fifteen years into his career as a professional genealogist, he still recalls those times with obvious fondness. Although he said he didn’t do a lot of talking from the booth (which, personally, I find that a bit hard to believe), he was remembered as a hard worker and gained a reputation for being able to see through the commitment. D. Joshua Taylor spent year’s as the go-to AV guy, and laughs now because he is still a bit of the go-to AV guy. Have they stopped volunteering simply because of their status in the profession? Certainly not. The position of President for the Federation of Genealogical Societies is a volunteer position, and requires hours of time and non-stop effort. Our community, in fact, relies heavily on the willingness of our family members to volunteer. Many of these large events simply would not exist without their contributions. What does all this have to do with the transitioning genealogist? Plenty. We are the next wave of national speakers, ... Read More »

The following announcement was received from our friends at Find My Past:   In honor of Memorial Day on May 27, and in remembrance of all who died while serving our country, findmypast.com will offer its collection of U.S. and international military records for free in the days leading up to the national observance. With more than 26 million U.S. and international military records available, findmypast.com is encouraging people to explore and learn about the heroic efforts of their ancestors this Memorial Day. Record sets such as ‘Draft Registration Cards,’ ‘Casualties Returned Alive,’ ‘POWs’ and others will offer a captivating glimpse into the lives and experiences of our veteran ancestors. The US and International military records will be available free of charge starting at midnight EDT on Thursday, May 23until midnight EDT on Monday, May 27. Anyone can access the records by registering for free at findmypast.com. Read More »

Learning Genealogy Round-Up is a monthly post about opportunities for genealogy education, brought to you by The In-Depth Genealogist.  Each month we feature an assortment of news, events, and announcements to highlight upcoming chances to learn more about genealogy and family history. Mastering Genealogical Proof Study Opportunities Mastering Genealogical Proof, the newly released book by Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, is generating a great deal of interest from genealogists nationwide. Published by the National Genealogical Society and first available for sale at the recent 2013 NGS Conference in Las Vegas, the book fairly flew out of the booth. In its official press release, NGS noted: “As a unique textbook on genealogical methods and reasoning in the twenty-first century, Mastering Genealogical Proof guides readers in acquiring genealogical skills transcending chronological, ethnic, geopolitical, and religious boundaries. Dr. Jones, a noted writer, lecturer, and editor in the field of genealogy, explains and develops the level of proof that is appropriate to genealogy.” The workbook-style format of the book, complete with exercises for each chapter, lends itself to both individual and group study. One of the advantages of group study is the chance for discussion and exploration of different ideas and approaches. Two avenues for group study are now in the process of forming: Pat Richley Erickson, also known as DearMYRTLE, will be hosting a series of ten weekly study sessions via Google+ Hangouts on Air (HOA), starting in June.  The HOA format enables a large number of people to view and comment on the discussions. After the live session, each installment will be uploaded to YouTube for easy and convenient viewing. Pat offers instructions and tips for those not familiar with HOA on her DearMYRTLE blog.  For more information about the Mastering Genealogical Proof study sessions on HOA, see her post, ... Read More »

As a mom I worry about all sorts of things and I am pretty sure worry comes with the job title.  As a genealogist an entire new layer of worry is added to that already extensive worry list. Now I ponder how I will make sure my kids, and grandkids, have the same love and respect for their family history that I have. I was lucky that I grew up in the family I did.  My parents and grandmothers loved to tell stories about our family.  Their houses were decorated with heirlooms, pictures, and memories. Family dinners were peppered with old recipes adding to the flavors of the day. I have learned through the years that this is not the norm in most families.  Yes, I do have family members who have attempted to run away from me or who not-so-politely sat through what I thought was a very interesting story.  I am sure you all can think of several instances where this has happened to you.  My goal as a genealogist mom is to, as Janet Hovorka states in her new book, zap the grandma gap with future generations. Zap the Grandma Gap, by Janet Hovorka, is a wonderful how-to-guide for anyone struggling with passing on their family history to younger generations.  Each chapter is filled with hints, tips, ideas, and wonderful personal stories to show you that it really isn’t that hard to connect.  All you need to do is relate to their life experiences and talk to them in ways that interest them.  Simple enough, right? Your guide through the book is Super Grandma who has an arsenal of special accessories.  In each section you are introduced to a special gadget which allows her to connect her family to their story.  From her “Bullet Proof Vest” to her ... Read More »

May seems to bring changes every year. Spring is in full bloom. Gardens are being planted. Students around the country are graduating and moving on to new adventures. The same holds true for family historians. We plan new research trips and family reunions. We update our blogs and websites with new designs and features. It’s the time of year so many of us get the itch to try new things after fabulous learning opportunities at conferences. We learn, grow, and challenge ourselves with new experiences – just like the IDG leadership team did at the 2013 National Genealogical Society Family History Conference last week. The In-Depth Genealogist has been such an important part of my family history journey. From the earliest days of a handful of friends writing articles for a newsletter over at Corn and Cotton Genealogy to the resource you know today, IDG has been first and foremost a labor of love for me. It has grown and evolved over the last year into something that still leaves me awestruck. We strived to be a place where all genealogists felt welcome when others may focus on dividing the community into labels such as “hobbyist” or “professional.” I think we’ve done a pretty good job so far! It has grown from a small group to a large family, and I love it. However, as with all journeys, sometimes we notice that the path in front of us is heading in a different direction than we expected. I’ve been blessed over the last year to not only work with a great team growing The In-Depth Genealogist but to also grow my business, Corn and Cotton Genealogy. The time has come that I need to pour myself full time into my business. Starting this month, I’ll be stepping down as the ... Read More »